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As HBO gears up for the launch of its multi-season remake of J.K. Rowling’s beloved books, the director of the first two Harry Potter films, Chris Columbus, isn’t hiding his skepticism, The Hollywood Reporter writes.

Speaking on The Rest is Entertainment podcast, Columbus admitted that after seeing the first set photos, only one question came to mind: why?

“I came across pictures online of Nick Frost as Hagrid with the new Harry Potter,” Columbus said. “And he’s wearing the exact same costume we designed back then. My first thought was: what’s the point? I assumed they’d change everything — the costumes, the visual style, the approach. Instead, it’s all the same.”

While he admits it’s flattering that his aesthetic is being “passed down” to a new generation, Columbus confessed the experience feels like déjà vu: “It’s as if it’s all happening again. Very strange.”

Still, the filmmaker insisted he bears no envy toward the show’s creators. “I’ve already been through it,” he said. “I did my part, I’m proud of those films — especially the first three — and I’ve moved on. I’ve always had issues with franchises. That’s why I never did a Gremlins sequel. I just don’t like being stuck in one thing.”

Interestingly, Columbus revealed one aspect of HBO’s version he is curious about: Peeves the Poltergeist. He had originally shot Peeves scenes for the first movie, played by Rik Mayall, but they were cut due to CGI issues. “We could never get the design right, but Rik was amazing. I’m interested to see what they come up with now,” he noted.

Columbus also touched on the controversy surrounding J.K. Rowling, striking a diplomatic tone: “Sometimes it’s important to separate the artist from the art. What’s happening makes me sad. I don’t share her views, and that’s very unfortunate.”

HBO’s remake is expected to debut in 2027 as a “faithful adaptation” of all seven books, with each season dedicated to one installment. Warner Bros. has emphasized, however, that the original films will remain the “core of the franchise.”

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